Mounting apparatus for fan

ABSTRACT

A mounting apparatus includes a first bracket and a second bracket. The first bracket includes a bottom wall and a side wall. The bottom wall defines a bottom wall slot. The second bracket is configured for securing a fan on the side wall of the first bracket and includes a resiliently deformable latching member. A clipping portion is located on the latching member and engageable in the bottom wall slot so as to secure the second bracket on the bottom wall of the first bracket.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to mounting apparatuses for mounting a fan to an electronic device.

2. Description of Related Art

Typically, electronic devices, such as server computers generate a great deal of heat. Fans are required to accelerate airflow for quickly cooling the electronic devices. A conventional method for securing the fans is by screws, which is very inconvenient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an assembled exploded, isometric view of mounting apparatuses and fans of an embodiment, and showing a second bracket and a fan away from a chassis.

FIG. 2 is an exploded, isometric view of a second bracket and a fan of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an assembled view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is similar of FIG. 1, but showing the second bracket and the fan in an assembled position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.

Referring to FIG. 1, a mounting apparatus in accordance with an embodiment includes a chassis 10, a first bracket 20, and a second bracket 40. In one embodiment, the chassis 10 may be a computer chassis.

The chassis 10 can have any geometric shape, configuration, or orientation suitable for housing an electronic device therein. For simplicity and as an aid to the description, the chassis 10 is depicted as a cuboid (i.e., a partially or completely enclosed rectangular box) will be described herein, although other equally effective geometric shapes and configurations may exist in other exemplary embodiments. The chassis 10 includes a base plate 11. A plurality of base positioning members 112 is located on the base plate 11.

The first bracket 20 includes a bottom wall 21 and a side wall 23 substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 21. Four bottom wall slots 211 are defined in the bottom wall 21. Two supporting legs 213 (only one shown in FIGS. 1 and 4) extend perpendicularly downwards from opposite edges of the bottom wall 21. A flange plate 215 extends vertically outwards from the supporting legs 213. The flange plate 215 is parallel to and abuts the bottom wall 21. Securing holes 2151 are defined in the flange plate 215 for receiving the base positioning members 112. Side wall ventilation holes 231 are defined in the side wall 23, and configured for allowing airflow. Positioning posts 233 are located on the side wall 23 around each side wall ventilation hole 231 correspondingly.

The fan 30 includes a first sidewall 31 and a second sidewall 33 parallel to the first sidewall 31. Four catch holes 311 are defined in the first sidewall 31, for receiving the corresponding positioning posts 233. Four positioning holes 331 are defined in the second sidewall 33 and correspond to the catch holes 311 of the first sidewall 31.

The second bracket 40 includes a base board 41. Some base board ventilation holes 411 are defined in the base board 41. A resilient latching member 43 is located on a bottom edge of the base board 41 and is generally perpendicular to the base board 41. A through hole 431 is defined in the latching member 43 to allow the latching member 43 to deform easily. Referring to FIG. 3, two clipping portions 433 are located on the latching member 43 for engaging in the bottom wall slot 211. A resilient positioning member 45 is located at three corners of the base board 41. The positioning member 45 is configured for engaging with the first sidewall 31 of the fan 30. A positioning slot 453 is defined in the positioning member 45 for receiving an edge of the first sidewall 31 of the fan 30. A protruding peg 47 is located in another corner of the base board 41, for engaging in one of the catching holes 311 of the first sidewall 31 of the fan 30.

Referring to FIG. 3, in assembly, the protruding peg 47 of the second bracket 40 is engaged in the corresponding catching hole 311 of the first sidewall 31 of the fan 30, and the positioning members 45 are engaged with the first sidewall 31. Edges of the first sidewall 31 are received in the positioning slots 453. Therefore, the second bracket 40 is coupled to the fan 30.

Referring also to FIG. 4, the fan 30 together with the second bracket 40 is located on the first bracket 20. The latching member 43 of the second bracket 40 is positioned outside of the first bracket 20. The positioning posts 233 are aligned with the positioning holes 331 of the second sidewall 33 of the fan 30. The second bracket 40 is sliding towards the side wall 23. When the clipping portions 433 abuts the bottom wall 21, the second bracket 40 further slide towards the side wall 23, so as to elastically bend the latching member 43 away from the bottom wall 21. When the side wall posts 233 engage in the corresponding positioning holes 331 and the clipping portions 433 slide into the bottom wall slot 211, the latching member 43 returns to normal, the clipping portion 433 are securedly caught in the bottom wall slot 211 of the bottom wall 21. Therefore, the second bracket 40 and the fan 30 are secured on the first bracket 20.

In disassembly, the latching member 43 is resiliently bent away from the bottom wall 21 so to free the clipping portion 433 from the bottom wall slot 211 of the bottom wall 21, as a result the second bracket 40 and the fan 30 can removed from the first bracket 20.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of embodiments, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. A mounting apparatus comprising: a first bracket comprising a bottom wall and a side wall located on the bottom wall, the bottom wall defining a bottom wall slot; and a second bracket, engageable in the bottom wall slot, comprising a resiliently deformable latching member and a clipping portion located on the latching member.
 2. The mounting apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein a positioning post is located on the side wall of the first bracket for engaging in a positioning hole of a fan.
 3. The mounting apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein a positioning member is located on the second bracket for engaging with a fan.
 4. The mounting apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein the positioning member defines a positioning slot for receiving a wall of a fan.
 5. The mounting apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein a protruding peg is located on the second bracket for engaging in a catch hole of a fan.
 6. The mounting apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the second bracket comprises a base board perpendicular to the latching member; the base board defines at least one base board ventilation hole; and the side wall of the bracket defines a side wall ventilation hole.
 7. The mounting apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the latching member defines a through hole.
 8. A mounting apparatus comprising: a first bracket comprising a bottom wall and a side wall located on the bottom wall, the bottom wall defining a bottom wall slot; and a second bracket comprising a resiliently deformable latching member, a clipping portion located on the latching member; wherein the second bracket can be moved between a first position, where the clipping portion is positioned outside of the first bracket, and a second position, where the clipping portion is engaged in the bottom wall slot and the latching member is resiliently deformed.
 9. The mounting apparatus as described in claim 8, wherein a positioning post is located on the side wall of the first bracket for engaging in a positioning hole of a fan.
 10. The mounting apparatus as described in claim 8, wherein a positioning member is located on the second bracket for engaging with a fan.
 11. The mounting apparatus as described in claim 10, wherein the positioning member of the second bracket defines a positioning slot for receiving a wall of a fan.
 12. The mounting apparatus as described in claim 8, wherein a protruding peg is located on the second bracket for engaging in a catch hole of a fan.
 13. The mounting apparatus as described in claim 8, wherein the second bracket comprises a base board perpendicular to the latching member; the base board defines a base board ventilation hole; the side wall of the bracket defines a side wall ventilation hole corresponding to the base board ventilation hole.
 14. The mounting apparatus as described in claim 8, wherein the latching member defines a through hole for deforming the latching member. 